Section 1 Flashcards
What is the generic term for an Air Traffic Service?
Air traffic control service
Air traffic advisory service
Flight information service
Alerting service
What is the objectives of the air traffic services shall be to?
Prevent collisions between aircraft
Prevent collisions between aircraft on the manoeuvring area and obstructions on that area
Expedite and maintain an orderly flow of air traffic
Provide advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights
Notify appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in the need of search and rescue aid, and assist such organisations as required
Who is an air traffic control service provided too?
Provided to-
IFR flights in airspace A,B, C, D and E
VFR flights in airspace B,C and D
All SVFR flights
All aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes
What is a Flight Information Service?
A service provided for the purpose of supplying advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flight.
What pertinent information is passed in a FIS?
Weather
Changes to serviceability of facilities
Conditions at aerodrome
Any other information likely to affect safety
What does the UK flight information service consist of?
Basic service
Traffic service
Deconfliction service
Procedural service
What is an alerting service?
Is provided to notify appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in need of SAR aid and assist such organisations as required
They’re 2 flight information regions within the uk, what’s the level?
Below FL 245 lower FIR
At and above FL 245 Upper FIR
Describe class A airspace ?
IFR only
ATC clearance before entry
Have to comply with ATC instructions
All aircraft get separated from one another
Describe class E airspace?
IFR and VFR
IFR flights must obtain an ATC clearance required before entry and must comply with ATC instructions
VFR do not require a ATC clearance
Separate IFR - IFR
Pass traffic information as far as practicable to IFR on participating and non participating VFR flights
Pass traffic information as far as practicable to VFR flights on participating and non participating VFR flights in accordance with the type of UK FIS provided
Describe class C airspace?
IFR and VFR
ATC clearance before entry
Must comply with ATC instructions
Separate IFR - IFR
IFR - VFR
VFR - IFR
Pass traffic information on VFR flights on other VFR flights and give traffic avoidance when requested
Class C airspace is only above FL 195 - FL 600
Describe class D airspace?
IFR and VFR
ATC clearance required before entry
Must comply with ATC instructions
Separate IFR - IFR
Pass traffic information to IFR/SVFR - VFR and give traffic avoidance when requested
Pass traffic information to VFR- all other flights and given traffic avoidance when requested
Describe class G Airspace?
IFR and VFR
Don’t need ATC clearance or don’t need to comply with ATC instructions
No services provided
What is the airspace speed limit?
Aircraft flying below FL 100, required to to fly of a speed limit of 250kts IAS.
See and avoid principle
Who does the 250kt speed limit not apply to?
Flights in A(in uk) and B(not in uk) airspace
IFR flights in C airspace
For exempted VFR flights in C airspace when authorised by an ATC unit in accordance of MATS 2
For exempted flights in D airspace when authorised by an ATC unit in accordance with MATS 2
Test flights in accordance with specified conditions
Aircraft taking part in flying displays and authorised by CAA
Aircraft with written permission from CAA
State aircraft and military aircraft
What is the VFR criteria for aircraft at or below 3,000ft amsl ?
Class D
Aircraft - horizontal distance from cloud 1500m and 1000ft vertical and flight visibility of 5km
Same for above 3,000ft ( only difference at and above FL 100, flight visibility is 8km )
For aircraft flying at 140 kt IAS or less, what are the VFR requirements for transiting class D airspace?
Remaining outside the aerodrome traffic zone or aerodrome traffic circuit …
Clear of cloud with the surface in sight and flight visibility of 5km
For helicopters flight at 140kt IAS or less, wanting to transit class D airspace what are the requirements?
Remaining outside the aerodrome traffic zone or aerodrome traffic circuit ….
Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight
Flight visibility of 1500m
What’s the difference regarding VFR minima from day to night? Class D
If flying at or below 3,000ft the aircraft must also have surface in sight
The rest is the same
Who are exempt to transit class D regarding VFR minima by day?
Power line Pipe line Police Helimed SAR SAR helicopter training with a letter of agreement with the air traffic service provider
When must a pilot fly IFR?
If in class A airspace
If the meteorological conditions preclude VFR flight or if in a Control Zone SVFR
What is an aerodrome traffic zone?
ATZ adopt the classification of airspace within which they are situated. Therefore aircraft flying within the ATZ are subject to the Rules of the Air.
TIA ATZ surface - 2,000ft and is 2,500m width
What are the conditions for SVFR?
Fixed wing-
Class D reduce below a ground visibility less than 1500m and/or cloud ceiling of 600ft both by day and night.
Helicopters-
Class D reduce below a ground visibility less than 800m and/or cloud ceiling of 600ft both by day and night.
Who are exempt from SVFR?
Police Helimed SAR Pipeline Power line SAR training
What are the pilots responsibilities regarding SVFR?
Must comply with ATC instructions
Is responsible for ensuring that his flight conditions enable him to remain clear of cloud and surface in sight
Flys at an IAS of 140 kt or less ( see and avoid )
Responsible for ensuring that he flys within the limitations of his license
Responsible for complying with the relevant Rules of the Air low flying restrictions (other than the 1000feet rule)
Responsible for avoiding ATZ unless been given permission by the relevant ATC unit
If an aircraft wishes to depart from an airfield at night but has a failure of any light which the ANO says must be displayed, can that aircraft depart ?
No
If an aircraft is in flight and there is a failure of his navigation lights? What should atc/ pilot do?
Land as soon as it is safe to do so, unless authorised by an ATC unit to continue his flight
Flight must remain in controlled airspace in the UK unless from another authority has been given permission to continue
If he wishes to leave controlled airspace he should be instructed to land at the nearest suitable aerodrome (this is up to the pilot, of where he thinks is suitable aerodrome)
What action should ATC do if a captive balloon breaks free ?
Notify the ACC unit and state the following -
Type of balloon POB Position of balloon site Direction and speed drift Last observed height Length of cable attached to balloon Balloon operators telephone number and name
Who should standard separation be applied too?
All fights in A airspace IFR In C, D and E IFR and VFR In C IFR flights and SVFR flights SVFR flights except when a reduction is authorised by the CAA
When shall increased separation standards minima be increased?
If requested by the pilot
Controller sees it necessary
Directed by the CAA
What is reduced separation in the vicinity?
In the vicinity of the aerodromes, the standard separation minima may be reduced if-
1- adequate separation can be provided by the aerodrome controller when each aircraft is continuously visual to the ATCO
2- each aircraft is continuously visible to the pilots of the other aircraft concerned and the pilots report that they can maintain their own separation
3- when one aircraft is following another, the pilot of the succeeding aircraft reports that he has the other aircraft in sight and can maintain own separation
If a ATCO is faced with a situation in which two of more aircraft are separated by less than the prescribed minima, what does the ATCO have to do?
Use every means at his disposal to obtain the required minimum with the least possible delay
When considered practicable, pass traffic information is an ATS surveillance service is being provided, otherwise, pass essential traffic information
What is essential traffic information?
Is separated for any period less than the specified standard separation. It is normally passed in situations when ATS surveillance systems are not available
Regarding essential traffic information what shall be passed to an aircraft?
Direction of flight of conflicting traffic
Type of conflicting aircraft
Cruising level of conflicting aircraft and ETA for the reporting point. Or if the aircraft is passing through it’s level.
Any alternative clearances
What type of separation is there?
Vertical- up to FL290 = 1000ft
Above FL290 = 2000ft
Except between 290-410= of RVSM approved is 1000ft
Horizontal- 3 types = lateral, longitudinal and separation based on ATS surveillance system information.
Lateral- track separation ( VOR, headings, geographical )
Longitudinal- time and distance
Based on departure longitudinal separation, what is 1 min rule?
Provided that the aircraft fly on tracks diverging by 45 degrees or more immediately after take off
The minimum may be reduced when aircraft are taking off from independent diverging or parallel runways provided the procedures have been approved by the CAA
Based on departure longitudinal separation, what is 2 min rule?
The proceeding aircraft has filed a true airspeed 40knots or more faster than the following
Neither aircraft is cleared to execute any manoeuvre that would decrease the 2 minute separation between them
Based on departure longitudinal separation, what is 5 min rule?
Provided that the preceding aircraft has filed a true air speed of 20knots or more faster than the following aircraft.
Or
Provided that the 5 minute separation is maintained up to a reporting point, within or adjacent to a control zone or terminal control area and the aircraft will be separated by either
- vertically
- by tracks which diverge by 30 degrees or more
- by Radar
Only to be used by units approved by the CAA
Based on departure longitudinal separation, what is 10 min rule?
Fully separated
What is wake turbulence ?
Shall be used to describe the effect of the rotating air masses generated behind the wing tips of an aircraft
What is wake vortex?
Describes the nature of the air masses
The heavier the aircraft the more slowly it is flying, the ______ the vortex?
Stronger
In what type of weather are wake vortex persistent?
Calm conditions
If aircraft are using the same runway, or parallel runways are separated by less than 760m or if the flight path is to cross less than 1000ft below, what are the wake turbulence departure times?
Medium U/L or Small in front of a Light= 2 minutes
Heavy in front of a Medium U/L, Small or Light= 2 minutes
Heavy- Heavy = 4nm or time equivalent
If aircraft is on a T/G or low approach plus 1 minute to the above
For helicopters, how does an ATCO minimise the effects of wake turbulence ?
Instruct helicopters to ground taxi rather than air taxi when operating in areas where aircraft are parked or holding
Not to air taxi helicopters close to taxiways or runways where light aircraft operations are in progress both fixed wing and helicopters
If aircraft has to air taxi- avoid flying over parked aircraft, vehicles, or loose ground equipment.
Follow standard taxi routes where helicopters and fixed wing aircraft share common areas on a movement area
What distance should be put into place, for helicopters taxiing or in a stationary hover, when light aircraft are taxiing?
X3 the rotor diameter of that helicopter
What should ATC clearances include?
Aircraft identification as shown on flight plan
Clearance limit
Route
Levels of flight for entire route or part and any change in levels if needed
Any necessary instructions or information on the other matters such as departure manoeuvres, slot etc
What is a clearance limit ?
A clearance limit is a point to which an aircraft is granted an ATC clearance and shall by specified by naming-
An aerodrome
A reporting point
A controlled or advisory airspace boundary
When should an aircraft be cleared for the entire route to the aerodrome of first intending landing?
It has planned to remain in controlled or advisory airspace throughout the flight
And
There is a reasonable assurance that prior to co-ordination will be effected ahead of the passage of the aircraft
What order is a conditional clearance to be given in?
Callsign of aircraft or vehicle being given the clearance
The condition ‘behind’
Identification of the subject of the condition ‘aircraft’
The clearance
A brief reiteration of the condition ‘behind’
(EZE66L, behind the landing PA34, via A1, Runway 23, line up behind)
If the ATCO has an amendment to add to a previous clearance, how should it be passed?
New clearance read in full, ‘climb now FL200’
Slow and precise
When shall a ATCO withhold a clearance ?
If the controller is instructed to with hold a take off clearance
When it is known that an aircraft has been denied by a police or HM customs
If the ATCO believes they should withhold a clearance but has not been instructed, as they have reason to believe the flight will endanger lives or involve a breach of legislation they should-
Warn the pilot of the hazardous condition, get an acknowledgment of the message
If pilot wishes to take off and infringement of legislation then he should be told it will be reported
If pilot still wishes to take off after acknowledgement and no traffic reason to permit take off
Put in ATC log